Nurses need a variety of core skills to succeed in their roles of providing basic care to patients in hospitals, doctor's offices, nursing facilities or home health. Technical skills are gained while completing the required nursing diploma, associate or bachelor's degree in nursing. Other soft skills are gained through various personal and professional experiences.

Empathy and Compassion

Among the core interpersonal skills you need as a nurse are empathy and compassion. A nurse's day can often get stressful or mundane, depending on the environment. These environmental factors can distract from your role of comforting patient with various mental and physical health conditions. A genuine concern for the well-being of the patients you see helps you do your best to provide quality care and project a good image for your employer.

Emotional Strength and Stamina

Nurses have physical demands, especially in hospital settings where you may help transport and lift patients. However, the emotional demands of the role can get daunting as well. Emotional stability is vital. While you want to empathize with patients, getting too wrapped up in their situations can actually put you at a disadvantage in providing quality, objective care. Tolerance for the sight of blood, coughing and sneezing, broken bones and sick kids is often necessary. In some work settings, you may get yelled at or ridiculed by unappreciative patients.

Patience and Focus

Though your day is often rushed and hectic, your patients don't always understand your need for efficiency. Some patients are too sick or injured to communicate quickly. Others are simply difficult to get along with, which tests your patience. Focus is critical in asking the right questions, listening and taking good notes for doctors or medical staff. Giving shots, bandaging injuries, transporting injured patients and providing other types of basic are also requires precision and focus.

Problem-Solving and Communication

In hospitals and emergency settings, nurses must have strong problem-solving skills. You don't always have time to wait for a doctor's directives on providing basic care. You may have to make quick decisions. Effective communication is closely related. You can to articulate advice and care requirements clearly to patients to get their cooperation. Nurses also must communicate well with doctors and other nursing staff as part of the collaborative care effort.